Polyoxometalate chemistry at volcanoes: discovery of a novel class of polyoxocuprate nanoclusters in fumarolic minerals.

Polyoxometalate (POM) chemistry is an important avenue of comprehensive chemical research, due to the broad chemical, topological and structural variations of multinuclear polyoxoanions that result in advanced functionality of their derivatives. The majority of compounds in the polyoxometalate kingdom are synthesized under laboratory conditions. However, Nature has its own labs with the conditions often unconceivable to the mankind. The striking example of such a unique environment is volcanic fumaroles - the natural factories of gas-transport synthesis. We herein report on the discovery of a novel class of complex polyoxocuprates grown in the hot active fumaroles of the Tolbachik volcano at the Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia. The cuboctahedral nanoclusters {[MCu12O8](AsO4)8} are stabilized by the core Fe(III) or Ti(IV) cations residing in the unique cubic coordination. The nanoclusters are uniformly dispersed over the anion- and cation-deficient NaCl matrix. Our discovery might have promising implications for synthetic chemistry, indicating the possibility of preparation of complex polyoxocuprates by chemical vapor transport (CVT) techniques that emulate formation of minerals in high-temperature volcanic fumaroles.

The description of Paralongicollum nemacheili n. gen., n. sp. (Acanthocephala: Pomphorhynchidae) from freshwater fishes in Kazakh S.S.R.

Paralongicollum nemacheili n. gen., n. sp. is described from Salmo gairdneri Richardson and Nemacheilus stoliczkai Steindacher in Lake Kul'say in the basin of Lake Balkhash, Kazakh S.S.R. Its long uniformly cylindrical neck and nonfiliform proboscis distinguish it from the other 3 genera of the family. Tenuiproboscis Yamaguti, 1935, has a filiform proboscis. The neck of Pomphorhynchus Monticelli, 1905, has a bulb anteriorly, and that of Longicollum Yamaguti, 1935, is spirally twisted with expansions. A key to the genera of Pomphorhynchidae is provided. The relatively longer necks in juveniles than in larger worms probably enhance the establishment of new infections. A large proportion of worms had extensive body wall deformities. Longicollum sergenti (Choquette and Gayot, 1952) Golvan, 1969, is relegated to the new genus Paralongicollum.

[The biology of the thorny-headed worms, parasites of trout acclimatized in the bodies of water of the Tien Shan]. / Biologiia skrebnei--parazitov foreli, akklimatizirovannoi v vodoemakh Tian'-Shania.

A new species of Acanthocephala, a parasite of local Naemacheilus stoliczkai, was recorded from Salmo gairdneri after 9 years of its introduction into mountain water bodies of Tien Shan. Gammarus lacustris serves as an intermediate host. Dynamics of infection of trout for 9 years is shown.

[Characteristics of trabeculectomy in the treatment of some forms of glaucoma in young patients]. / Osobennosti trabekuloéktomii pri lechenii nekotorykh form glaukomy v molodom vozraste.

The described technique of modified trabeculectomy with irido-retraction according to O. V. Grusha-G. A. Sokolovsky is intended for the treatment of some glaucoma forms in young patients with the anterior fixation of the iris. The basic features of the technique are as follows: (1) besides the sinus, deep scleral layers and abnormal trabecula, the scleral autoimplants include the anterior section of the scleral calcar; (2) during the operation the iris is disconnected from the site of its adhesion to the trabecular zone; (3) to prevent cilio-choroidal detachment, sclerectomy is carried out. A total of 14 eyes in 11 patients aged 17 to 42 were operated on and the results followed up for up to 2.5 years. Surgical and stable hypotensive effect was achieved in 12 cases. Two obligatory conditions of effective surgery are emphasized: punctilious performance of all the particulars of the operation and postoperative cytostatic therapy.

[Use of cytostatics as anti-cicatricial drugs after anti-glaucoma surgery in children, adolescents and young adults]. / Primenenie tsitostatikov v kachestve protivorubtsovykh sredstv posle antiglaukomatoznykh operatsii v detskom i molodom vozraste.

Anti-cicatricial cytostatic therapy with 5-fluorouracil and prospidin was carried out after antiglaucoma surgery in 78 eyes of 67 patients aged 6 to 42 (2/3 of the patients were aged from 21 to 40). Half (34) of the patients suffered from open-angle (pigmented in 3 cases) and 6 from closed-angle glaucoma, the rest patients presented with common hydrophthalmia, the Frank-Kamenetsky, Sturdge-Weber, Riger's syndromes, etc. The cytostatics were injected subconjunctivally. The results of 67 surgeries were followed up for 6 months to 3 years. Stable normalization of the ophthalmic tone and stabilization of the process were achieved in 60 eyes (89.2%). The authors emphasize that cytostatics may be recommended for children and young subjects after surgery involving fistulization, on condition of thorough biomicroscopic monitoring in the postoperative period, because of a possible disadaptation of the edges of the mucosal incision and corneal diseases.

[The status of the iridocorneal angle after the implantation of anterior chamber intraocular lenses with flexible supporting elements]. / Sostoianie raduzhno-rogovichnogo ugla posle implantatsii perednekamernykh IOL s gibkimi opornymi élementami.

The study was undertaken to examine the status of the iridocorneal angle (ICA) 1 to 4 years after implantation of anterior chamber intraocular lens with flexible supporting devices designed by M. L. Dvali. Correct implantation and gonioscopic monitoring wherein were found to provide reliable lens fixation, as a rule, in the area of the scleral spur and, occasionally, to the anterior part of the ciliary body, if the latter was broad. Additional fixation of the supporting devices was attained by delicate commissures at their small extent at the sites of iris contact, which were detected in the majority of cases. Strangulation of the iris or fixation in its periapical part occurred in small cases and were observed in the upper portion of ICA. Corneal epithelial contact with the supporting devices was revealed in 5.4% of cases, as well as in the upper part of ICA. Only in 1 out of 37 cases, the changes in the drainage area such as iris strangulation at a great extent were sufficient to impair its function and required additional surgical correction. The remaining eyes showed no abnormal intraocular fluid circulation. The visual acuity in 35 eyes was as great as 0.5 or more.

[An assessment of the opisthorchiasis situation in the area of Irtysh-Karaganda Canal]. / K otsenke situatsii po opistorkhozu v zone kanala Irtysh-Karaganda.

Helminthological investigation of the Irtysh-Karaganda Canal area was performed in the summer of 1989. In 9 storage ponds on the Shiderta and Olenta rivers 900 fish individuals, whose size was suitable for fishery have been examined, samples of water have been taken and the epidemiological assessment of modern conditions of opisthorchiasis agent circulation have been presented. The whole canal is at present favourable in view of opisthorchiasis infection. Local cases of infection are associated with fish from Shiderta and Olenta rivers.